Gloria J. Grant

Gloria Jean Grant entered this world on October 6, 1944, to proud parents James and Elizabeth Grant. The couple also had a son who died in early childhood.  They divorced and Elizabeth married Vennie Giddens who raised Gloria along with her siblings. She was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School system, graduating from South Hills High School in 1962.

Gloria was unique in that anything she attempted, she was able to Master. In Beltzhoover growing up she could out press and curl the best Hairdressers, so many girls ended up in her kitchen chair for the latest hair styles. She was also a great Seamstress and as a result worked at Brady Felt where she sewed names and numbers on the Pgh. Sports teams Jersey’s. She would also make T-Shirts for her siblings and their friends. Let’s not discount the fact that she made clothes for her family and designed and sewed gowns for many Proms and weddings.

She loved to travel and took many vacations and cruises with her family and friends. And she shopped until she dropped, it was her favorite past time.

Gloria also had a wonderful voice and as a young adult was a member of the St. Paul AME Church Senior Choir.

In her pursuit of a more enriched life, she followed her cousins Jeanie Bowman and Talitha Wiggins into the nursing field. So, she attended Connelly Trade Center where she earned her LPN license in 1977. Looking to make a greater impact on her career, she then completed coursework at CCAC and in 1990 graduated from the Registered Nurses program thus starting a legacy as an R.N. at Mercy hospital. Gloria became the family doctor even though she was a Nurse. She worked at Mercy Hospital for 39 years before retiring. Gloria’s peers describe her as excellent at her job and  a nonsense nurse who expected the best from everyone with whom she worked.

Gloria seamlessly decorated her beautiful home and at Christmas time, it became a showstopper; her green thumb beautified her yard, and on any given day she would fix plumbing, do woodwork and any major household renovation.

She and Norman Grant raised a wonderful daughter Monica Rene Grant and together Monica and Gloria became unstoppable. They did everything together and looked out for each other. They were not only Mother and daughter but best friends. They have touched this entire community in some way, their hearts were so big helping anyone in need.

In her later years Gloria became the family Matriarch, caring for her siblings, hosting family gatherings as well as providing her vast wealth of knowledge and guidance as needed.

For Gloria every niece and nephew were her favorite and she had a special relationship with all of them.

She allowed siblings and friends to share her home in times of need and she never complained.  

Gloria was preceded in death by: Her brother, James; Father, James Grant and Bonus Dad Vennie Giddens, Mother, Elizabeth Giddens and three siblings: Faye Johnson, Sharlene Webb and Larnell Mills. She leaves to cherish her memory:  Her daughter Monica Grant and Grandson Trace Brown; Siblings: Rose Tyson (Evans Tyson), Carol Loper (Rev. Glenn Loper), Leon Grant (Denise Grant), Linda Grant, Connie Jones, Sandra Jemison, Pamela Giddens and Gregory Giddens (Rev. Dr. Validia Giddens), Victoria Grant, Cynthia Grant and James Grant, Jr.; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

As she touched one, she touched us all and our hearts will always have a place holder for her love and care towards us.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at St. Paul AME Church, 400 Orchard Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Viewing will be 10am to 12pm. Service at 12pm.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Aldrich Funeral Homes, 431 E. 9th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15120; tel: 412-461-3400

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